MoD nod to 5th generation aircraft

Programme to be executed through industry partnership to harness indigenous expertise

- MAYANK SINGH @New Delhi

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will execute India's ambitious fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme through industry partnership, the Ministry of Defence decided on Tuesday. The go-ahead for its full-scale development was granted in March 2024 by the Cabinet Committee on Security.

The Ministry of Defence stated that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model.

"The ADA is set to execute the programme through industry partnership. The Execution Model approach provides equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on a competitive basis," the MoD said. They can bid either independently or as joint ventures, or as consortia. The entity/bidder should be an Indian company that complies with the country's laws and regulations.